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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

  1. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  2. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  3. Algeria has become a bargaining ________________ in a global game of poker.
  4. When will it ________________ you to start?
  5. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  6. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  7. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  8. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  9. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  10. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  11. We are ________________ to obey laws.
  12. He reached out and took down a small leather ________________ book.
  13. That was ________________ to happen.
  14. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  15. There's a computer ________________ on the table.
  16. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  17. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  18. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  19. The potato ________________ was salty and crunchy.
  20. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  21. Tiny blossoms have come out all over the river ________________.
  22. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  23. This ________________ always watches out for its own interests.
  24. I'm going to the ________________ to withdraw money.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. mouse — the animal
  2. jam — to spread on bread
  3. chip — for betting
  4. suit — to fit
  5. mouse — for a computer
  6. suit — in cards
  7. mouse — the animal
  8. jam — a tight spot
  9. jam — in traffic
  10. pitch — a sports field
  11. bound — obliged
  12. bound — tied together
  13. bound — certain
  14. pitch — a sales talk
  15. chip — in a computer
  16. hide — to keep secret
  17. hide — to keep secret
  18. pitch — completely
  19. chip — to eat
  20. suit — clothes
  21. bank — of a river
  22. hide — animal skin
  23. bank — for money
  24. bank — for money

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com